The Cat Collection: Tips For Your New Furry Friend
Cats are great, but they’re not cheap to take care of. Veterinarian bills, cat food, cat toys and kitty litter all add up. The following tips can help you maximize your happiness without breaking your wallet.
If you have drape cords in your home, keep them away from your cats. The cats will start playing with the cords and they can easily wrap around their necks. This could seriously injure or even kill them. All drape cords should be fastened and kept away from any harm that might come to the cats.
Drape cords should be kept distant from cats. Cats love to play with hanging cords and this poses the threat of your cat hurting themselves or becoming entangled. This may harm or kill them. To stop this from happening, pin your drapes and hide them out of sight.
Cats love to squeeze into tiny spaces. If they are wearing a collar this can pose a safety risk, in the event that your cat gets stuck. If your pet is wearing a breakaway collar, it’ll detach if it’s pulled too hard. This could help save your cat if it gets caught in a tight spot.
When considering a new pet, make sure you visit the area shelter first. Shelters have a lot of cats in them and you can get one adopted for a small fee. When adopting a shelter cat, you’re saving a life and aiding in controlling the cat population.
If you have an outside cat, you need to give it a collar and some identification tags. Tags can save you a lot of trouble if your cat gets lost. The tag should have at least the pet’s name and the number where you can be reached.
Litter Box
Your cat needs to be shown lots of love. Most cats crave the same warmth and companionship they give their owners. Like people, cats like to socialize and need to feel like they’re an essential part of your life. Your cat wants to be as much a member of the family as anyone else.
Pick a good spot for the cat’s litter box. It should not be placed in a high traffic area, and it should be far away from the cat’s food. You’ll want to place the box in a spot with good ventilation to avoid unpleasant smells. Your cat is certain to appreciate a litter box that is put into a good location.
Cats are usually great for kids, but smaller kids may be too rough with them. Spend time instructing your children on cat care. Show them to pick up kitty gently and the types of activities which are appropriate. Feline bones are weaker than those of many other pets, so they must be handled with care.
Crystals in the urine, an issue many male cats have, can be avoided with the proper food. If they have to pass the crystals it can cause the cat a lot of pain and paying a vet to help with this can cost you a lot of money. Make sure your cat’s food is not high in magnesium. Read the ingredient list on the label. Poultry products are typically lower in magnesium than fish products.
Pay attention and try to figure out what is causing your cat to meow. Over time, you will pick up on the reasons why your cat is making this gesture. This could mean that your cat needs to go out or is hungry. Listen to what’s she’s trying to tell you, and you’ll begin to understand her cues.
Make a tablecloth for your cats. Cats sometimes like to eat food outside of their bowl. This creates extra work since you must then clean up the leftover loose food. Use a placemat under your cat’s bowl or cut some fabric to create a small tablecloth. Shake the placemat or cloth over the garbage regularly.
Cats have a love affair with heights. To make your cat really happy, give it a place to safely survey its area. You can have a cat tree or even a strong wall shelf. You can even lay down a blanket to give your kitty some comfort.
When you get a kitten for kids, you have to set up a few rules first. Make sure your children know where in the house the cat is permitted to be. Be sure that your children understand that an indoor cat must never be allowed outdoors. If your children know the rules beforehand, mishaps are less likely.
Speak to other people if you’re having cat troubles. It’s possible that you could solve the problem on your own, but why deny help from others? Your vet is a great source of advice, or you can find forums on the Internet to connect with other cat owners.
Cat Outside
A collar and tags are a great way that your cat can be identified if it is found stray. This is essential, even for indoor pets. A naturally curious cat will readily wander out an open door or window. They should wear a tag with your vet’s info as well as your telephone number. This will be important especially if you have a cat with medical issues.
Think twice before letting your cat outside. This isn’t safe for your cat. You cat might pick up pests or fleas. Other animals and vehicles could also injure your cat. If you must let your cat outside, do so in a very small area of your backyard or lawn.
If you’re adding an additional cat to your home, give the cats a few weeks to get to know each other. They may still hiss and growl when they are in the same room together. Eventually, they become used to each other and are comfortable together.
If you are experiencing an issue with your feline friend, seek advice from others. It can really help to get advice from fellow cat owners. Your vet is a great source of advice, or you can find forums on the Internet to connect with other cat owners.
Play is an essential element of a cat’s daily life. All animals of all ages need to play and a cat is no different. Although older cats won’t be as active as younger cats, they still need a little exercise. Enjoy some playtime with your cat.
Rotate the variety of food you feed your cat. If you feed them the same cat food every day, they may not accept anything else. This makes it difficult to find food they’ll eat when a store runs out of a certain brand, or you are traveling.
If you are considering a long-haired cat breed then you should also consider the extra maintenance required. The hair looks good, except when it’s all over your furniture. Don’t adopt a cat with long fur unless you’re sure you can handle the extra cleaning. You should keep in mind that long haired cats are more prone to hairballs.
Ensure that your cat wears a collar and identification tags at all times. Even an indoor pet should have this. Your cat will go out as soon as you leave a door or a window open. It is a good idea to include your own phone number along with the name and contact number of your veterinarian. This is particularly important if you have a cat with medical needs.
One way to get a cat to use the litter box is to move it to a different place in the house. Cats know that they’re vulnerable when using the bathroom and need a place that is quiet and safe. Try placing it in a laundry room or a basement, where there is limited traffic in the home.
Place the litter box for your cat in an open area. You may believe that the litter box should be kept in a small place so that you won’t smell it. It is important to locate the litter box where your cat can easily get to it. To satisfy a cat’s demanding requirements, the litter box needs to be sited somewhere convenient and comfortable. If the litter box is kept on a cement floor, then place a rug or mat underneath it.
Your cat should stay inside most of the time, and when it’s outside, you should ensure it remains close to home. Research has shown that indoor cats have longer life spans than outdoor cats. Outdoor cats face numerous predators and are at a higher risk of disease.
Cat Wags
Hairballs can definitely be a problem. Brushing your cats fur should be your first step, but if that doesn’t help, here are a few additional tips. You can try adding a teaspoon or so of pumpkin to your cat’s food. Another thing that works is a one teaspoon of the water that’s in a tuna can mixed with the pumpkin. Some cat foods even have anti-hairball benefits.
When dogs are excited or happy, they will wag their tails when they see their owners. A cat wagging its tail can have a very different meaning. When a cat wags its tail, it is usually due to conflict and a potential decision of fight or flee. If your cat wags his tail while you’re holding him, putting him down keeps you safe.
Avoid overfeeding your cat, as that may lead to health concerns in the long-term. Besides putting your cat at risk for obesity, providing it with too much food can open the door to many other health problems. Monitor the portion sizes of your cat’s meals, watching to see that they are well balanced meals.
Don’t give a cat medicine that is intended for humans. If health problems arise, take your cat to a vet. When you make the mistake of giving any type of human medication to your cat, it can kill them or cause them some other type of grave medical misfortune.
Place some sticky tape on your furniture. The tape will keep your cat from scratching your furniture and upholstery. Many pet shops sell this sort of tape. Place sticky tape on your furniture and install a scratching post in order to kick this bad habit.
If your find that your cat is panting, pay attention. Panting is quite normal for dogs. If your cat is panting it may be overheated or having anxiety. It may also be something that is a lot more serious than those things. Call your vet, especially if you cat has a history of respiratory problems.
Equip your cat with a collar and tag as soon as possible. Cats are smart and will try to get out whenever they get the chance. A tagged animal has a much better chance of being brought home.
Be aware of holes around your home that your cat can get into. Cats can wriggle into surprisingly small spaces. Be especially careful with kittens. Make sure you know where all the holes in your house to help protect the kitten before it comes home. Make immediate repairs on any holes that you locate.
It is always important to make sure to get your cat neutered or spayed as early as your vet will allow you to. Cats are extremely curious. Indoor cats can slip out through a cracked window or door left open a little bit too long. And if your cat goes outside on a normal basis, it’s even more important that you get them fixed. As a result of overpopulation, cats are often put down.
Vet visits are often inevitable, and the bills can quickly pile up. You could save a lot of money if your order your cat’s medicine from an online retailer. There are a number of businesses that will ship the medication right to you. This is very convenient for medications, such as monthly flea treatments or heart worm medications.
Don’t let your cat get into the habit of swatting people or biting their toes. It isn’t cute and can lead to more harmful behaviors. Start teaching them that this is wrong while they are kittens since they won’t already be set in their ways.
Despite their independent nature, cats are no less expensive than any other pet. It’s so much work, it rivals raising a child! Fortunately, you have many options for providing essential care to your cat.
Never try to make your cat a vegetarian. All cats need a diet with meat. Your cat could become blind or develop some heart conditions if it does not get the amount of animal proteins it needs. Make sure your cat gets an adequate amount of meat.
